Drink Here Now: 5 Places to Sip This Week

1) SF Government & Tech Networking Mixer & Free DrinkIf the recent media coverage of drones has you wondering, “Can they use them to deliver pizza?”, Wednesday night’s SF Government & Tech Networking Mixer is for you. In addition to a cash bar, you’ll find David Chiu (SF Board of Supervisors President), Jay Nath (SF’s Chief Innovation Officer) and SF Tech Democrats talking about how the City is leveraging technology to help entrepreneurs, from mobile apps to pizza delivery drones. Speakers start at 6:30 at Marine’s Memorial Club Fireplace Room (609 Sutter Street @ Mason), followed by an audience Q&A and a mixer. The event is free with RSVP, which includes a free drink, courtesy of Eventbrite.

2) Red Hots Burlesque at El RioThe line-up of local burlesque stars is so long it won’t fit into one night. Lucky for us, El Rio (3158 Mission @ Cesar Chavez) hosts two evenings of bump and grind each week. The tassel-spinning starts at 7 pm on Wednesdays and 7:30 pm on Fridays, with a sliding scale cover charge of $5 - 10. This Wednesday’s show is hosted by Mary Van Note and features performances by Luci Fur, Alotta Boutte, and Cheekie La La. Friday’s hostess, Ruby Vixen, will be joined by Balla Fire, Rizzo Rogue, and Lady Satan. El Rio is known for making mean margaritas at the cash-only bar, and for its sunny outdoor garden. Happy Hour stretches from 1 to 8 pm, Monday through Friday, with $3 well drinks and draft beer. Friday night’s Burlesque show tends to sell out, so make a reservation or arrive early. Note to Pisces: Red Hots performers delight in making birthdays extra special.

3) San Francisco International Chocolate Salon55,000 square feet of chocolate, wine and confections. What else do you need to know? The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon on Sunday, March 24 at Fort Mason Center features chocolate tasting, wine pairings, celebrity chef & author talks, plus new product launches and flavor combinations. Tickets for the 7th annual event are $20-25 online until March 22, or $30 at the door. Inside, you’ll find more than 40 master chocolatiers, confectioners, and other culinary artisans including CocoTutti, Butterfly Brittle, Smitten Artisan Truffles, and Taza Chocolate. You’ll also find Almanac’s “Biere de Chocolat,” ChocolatRouge wine, Raff Distillerie “Emperor Norton Absinthe”, Wilson Creek Winery Almond Champagne, and Alquimia Tequila.

4) Rosamunde Trivia Night in the MissionTempted by the smell of bacon-wrapped hot dogs along Mission Street, but craving a craft beer? You can have both, plus trivia, every Monday night at Rosamunde Sausage Grill (2832 Mission @ 24th). Besides bacon-wrapped all beef sausages and $3 Racer 5 pints, this cash-only bar features more than a dozen craft beers on tap, with an emphasis on West Coast IPAs and Belgian-style sours. The menu includes 17 sausages ($6-6.50), including three vegan varieties. Monday night trivia begins at 8PM, but you’ll want to arrive early to get a seat. Rosamunde gives away gift certificates for first place ($25), second place ($15) and Best Small Team ($10).

5) DOSA’s Elegant Happy HourIf you like a little luxury in your Happy Hour, drop by DOSA (1700 Fillmore @ Post) between 5 and 7 pm, Monday through Thursday. The warm, spacious dining area with high ceilings features a shimmering chandelier with equally elegant surroundings. The $6 Happy Hour menu includes a spicy Chile Margarita, a featured red and white wine, and four Indian-style appetizers. Our current favorite is the Vada Pav vegetarian slider: a spiced-potato patty with chutney, caramelized onions and “gunpowder,” made from ground chiles & lentils. If you’re willing to venture off the Happy Hour path, the Peony is worth the detour. This exotic concoction of gin, coconut milk, fresh lime juice, hibiscus syrup and bird’s eye chili is the perfect combination of sweet, tart and spicy. We dare you to drink just one.